The Atlanta University Center Consortium

Dr. Juana Mendenhall is a visionary leader who excels at analyzing, planning, and implementing strategic initiatives by effectively connecting enterprises across diverse departments, programs, and institutes—guiding concepts from inception to institutional integration. As dedicated researcher, Dr. Mendenhall is passionate about transforming academia through innovation, education and emerging technologies, comprehensive training (for faculty and students), and personalized mentorship for students. As a results-driven academic administrator, she demonstrates exceptional skill in forging new partnerships that yield multi-directional returns on investment and collaborating with senior leadership to execute innovative initiatives. Dr. Mendenhall possesses the interpersonal skills to inspire, energize, and unify faculty and staff in the collective pursuit of organizational goals and meaningful outcomes.

Sederra Ross is a Program Manager at the ACS Green Chemistry Institute®. She has dedicated her career to solving environmental injustices and researching methods to remove hazardous contaminants and chemicals contributing to global heating. Her research has covered various topics, including creating biodegradable composites that divert solid waste from landfills, developing programs to galvanize environmental grassroots activists, and employing molecular spectroscopy to identify and characterize gas-phase progenitors that give rise to soot, a PM 2.5 climate pollutant. Sederra holds a Ph.D. in Green Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a B.S. in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University. In her role, she strives to inculcate green chemistry and engineering across the global chemistry enterprise to provide present and future generations with the knowledge and resources they need for a clean, sustainable environment and an equitable future.

Dr. Dawn Holt leverages a rare combination of scientific depth and pedagogical acumen as the portfolio manager of the ACS Bridge Program. Holding a Ph.D. in Medical Pathology and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, she’s driven by a dual passion: nurturing academic rigor and empowering students to achieve their full potential. Her stewardship of the Bridge Program encompasses strategic development aimed at bolstering the chemical sciences landscape, alongside personalized mentorship for students. Her core mission is to eliminate obstacles faced by students in graduate programs, cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment conducive to success. This is realized through a comprehensive support framework, which includes the design and oversight of career and professional development opportunities. These initiatives are meticulously crafted to equip students with the tools necessary to realize their academic and professional ambitions. In essence, Dr. Holt’s multifaceted expertise and unwavering commitment to student success solidify her as a transformative leader, driving positive change within the chemical sciences and beyond.

Saderrick is a student affairs practitioner with 18+ years of experience in student engagement & outreach, leadership development, and career development. In his current role at ACS, he is responsible for recruiting and engaging undergraduate and graduate students globally to become active members of the society. He leads the ACS Student Communities team in strategic development related to engaging student chapters and graduate student organizations, developing new outreach programs, and connecting students to resources and leaders throughout the society’s global community. Saderrick holds a B.A In Mass Communications and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from Nicholls State University. He sees education as a transformative experience and uses his talents to enhance and elevate the student experience beyond the traditional campus classroom. Through building purposeful connections and innovative programs, he uses his skillset to mentor students, enhance their academic careers,  and to help them launch successful professional careers.